Libraries Policies: Release Time for Continuing Education Policy

The University Libraries supports the
participation of its faculty, staff, and students in job-related
continuing education activities.

Definitions
To qualify as job-related, an activity must
serve to improve or enhance the employees technical skills,
subject expertise, ability to communicate with and manage people
and workflow, provide representation in relevant associations, or
contribute to the library profession or to the University
community in a broader sense.

Administrative leave"Administrative leave with pay may be granted for approved
meetings or conferences or for other purposes which the
appointing authority deems for the good of the state."
(State of Colorado Handbook, p.16)

Educational leave
"When
recommended and justified by the appointing authority,
educational leave with full, partial or no pay may be granted for
a specified period. Such leave shall be granted only for courses
or programs directly related to the employees work and
where the increased knowledge obtained shall benefit the
state." (State of Colorado Handbook, p.15)

The Code of Colorado Regulations (P7-4-5)
specifies conditions under which employees using educational
leave accrue annual and sick leave.

Procedure

The employee fills out a Leave Request Form
and attaches a short memo, describing the activity for which he
or she is requesting leave. The form and memo are forwarded to
the employees immediate supervisor and/or department head.

The department head has authority to approve
up to eight (8) hours per week for a period of one semester; or,
five (5) consecutive days of administrative leave.

Requests for greater amounts of time for
educational purposes are considered educational leave as defined
by the state. These requests must be approved by the department
head and associate director.

Requests for financial support for
continuing education must be handled separately.

Timeline: Whenever possible, the employee
will submit his or her request 30 days before the planned event.
Supervisors, whenever possible, will respond to the request
within five (5) business days from receipt.

Factors Considered in Evaluating Requests

The supervisor has an obligation to assist
employees in seeking appropriate education and training, as well
as to maintain operations within his or her work unit. Requests
for release time for continuing education are honored at the
supervisors discretion, taking into account such factors as
workloads, the academic calendar, availability of other staff,
etc.

When more people from a unit than can be spared
wish to participate in an educational activity, the overriding
factor to be considered is for whom the skill or information is
most vital. Who has or has not participated in such activities
recently may also be considered.

AppealsIf an employee and supervisor
regularly and consistently disagree on appropriate continuing
educational opportunities, they are advised to consult with their
Associate Director to resolve the situation.